SINGAPORE: In this challenging environment, it will be much harder for the government to deliver prosperity and progress for Singaporeans, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (Apr 21).
Speaking to civil servants at the annual Administrative Service Dinner, Mr Lee said there is a greater risk that the “virtuous cycle” of good policies and good government will falter.
“We need to work much harder to keep it going and keep Singapore exceptional.”
For 60 years, Singapore benefited from a generally stable, rules-based international order, which was anchored and championed by the United States, he said.
Using these favourable conditions to grow and progress, Singapore’s policies and long-term plans were not derailed by external events.
“I do not believe the next 60 years will be anything like the last 60,” said Mr Lee, adding that the international system is under tremendous strain.
Major countries that once promoted and upheld the rules-based global order are now wielding their power overtly to seize immediate gains for themselves, he said.
Other countries are weaponising dominant positions in particular industries or critical materials to gain leverage over opponents or hold rivals back, and all countries now have to prioritise security and defence over economic growth, he added.
This all leads to less cooperation on trade and investments, and less prosperity and human welfare, said Mr Lee, adding that war and conflict are now more likely.
“Life has become much more dangerous for a small country like Singapore,” he said.
“It will be much harder for the government to deliver prosperity and progress for Singaporeans in this challenging, changed environment.”
Singapore must draw on the resourcefulness and capabilities of political leaders and the civil service to come up with solutions to the challenges and difficulties ahead, he added.
“We must make the most of the energies and ideas of the population to transform and upgrade Singapore not just top down and centrally, but also bottom-up and across the board,” said Mr Lee.
The government must strengthen the trust that Singaporeans have in each other, as well as the country’s leaders and system, he said, adding that social cohesion must be reinforced.
This way, the government can continue to “do the right things for Singapore”, he said, stressing that the administrative service must play its part.
CAPABLE CIVIL SERVICE
Singapore relies on its first-rate civil service to develop and implement sound and imaginative government policies, and deliver services to the public, said Mr Lee.
Officers who are part of the administrative service, or admin officers, need a broad appreciation of Singapore’s national circumstances, he added.
